Answer ALL questions from Section A (multiple choice) and TWO questions out of four from Section B

Transcription

1 UNIVERSITY OF EAST ANGLIA Norwich Business School Main Series UG Examination INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS NBS-4007Y Time allowed: 2 hours Answer ALL questions from Section A (multiple choice) and TWO questions out of four from Section B ALL questions in Section A carry EQUAL marks (Total 20%) ALL questions in Section B carry EQUAL marks (Total 80%) Section A answers MUST be completed on the separate answer grid provided on PAGE 7. Select one answer unless otherwise specified. Example below: EXAMPLE ONLY Question A B C D 1 2 NOTE - Only clearly identifiable answers will be marked Section B answers MUST be completed in the answer book provided ANSWERS for Section A and Section B MUST be attached together at the end of the exam with the tag provided Notes are not permitted in this examination Do not turn over until you are told to do so by the Invigilator NBS-4007Y Module Contact: Dr Dimitrios Dousios, NBS Copyright of the University of East Anglia Version 1

2 Page 2 SECTION A Answers MUST be completed on the separate answer grid provided on PAGE Which of the following is not part of a typical organisation s internal environment? a) Competition b) Marketing c) Resources d) Customers 2. Which of the following is not part of a typical organisation s external environment? a) Legislation b) Currency value c) Consumption trends d) Customisation 3. Which is not a main method of engaging in international business? a) Licencing b) Exporting c) Importing d) Investing on foreign stock markets 4. Which of the following was advanced as an argument for social responsibility? a) Since society grants rights and privileges to organisations, these should be exercised responsibly b) Unless an organisation has social goals, it should avoid them c) Most organisations have social objectives implied in their legal purposes d) When social consequences are involved, managers should make appropriate decisions

3 Page 3 5. What is the difference between risk and uncertainty? a) Under risk, probabilities can be measured; under uncertainty, they cannot b) Under risk, there is a well-defined problem; under uncertainty, the definition is unclear c) Under risk, information is reliable; under uncertainty, it is not d) All of the above are correct 6. PESTLE, used as an acronym to help describe an organisation s environmental context, stands for: a) Practical, Essential, Statutory, Transient, Learning, Engagement b) Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, Environmental c) Processes, Essences, Structures, Templates, Limits, Escapes d) Political, Environmental, Social, Temporal, Local, Expedient 7. Which of the following is not a stage of the product life cycle? a) Growth b) Maturity c) Shakeout d) Introduction 8. Which is the most realistic relationship between e-commerce and e-business? a) E-commerce is a different name for e-business b) E-business is a subset of e-commerce c) E-commerce has no overlap with e-business d) E-commerce is a subset of e-business 9. Which is the best description of sell-side e-commerce? a) Any electronically mediated communication between an organisation and customers b) The use of electronic communications for all business processes c) E-commerce transactions between a supplier organisation and its customers d) All of the above TURN OVER

4 10. E-business is a term used to describe: Page 4 a) An organisation using electronic media to sell direct to its customers b) Any electronically mediated communication between an organisation and its stakeholders c) The use of electronic communications for all business processes d) None of the above 11. Facebook belongs in which category of website? a) Media or publisher site b) Social network c) Brand-building website d) Transactional website 12. Amazon.com belongs in which category of website? a) Media or publisher site b) Social network c) Brand-building website d) Transactional website 13. Digital marketing is a term used by specialist e-marketing agencies to: a) Recruit specialist staff b) Measure website hits c) Promote their websites d) None of the above 14. In digital marketing, PPC stands for: a) Pay per click b) Pay per consumer c) Personal protocol choice d) Public promotion click 15. E-government provides: a) The ability to gather taxes more efficiently b) Facilities for dissemination of information and online services at local and national levels c) The facility to securely communicate between governments and government departments d) All of the above

5 Page 5 16 The human resource management functions aim at: a) Ensuring that the human resources possess adequate capital, tool, equipment and material to perform the job successfully b) Helping the organization deal with its employees in different stages of development c) Improving an organization creditworthiness among financial institutions d) None of the above 17. What are the types of innovation in terms of novelty? a) Product innovation b) Radical innovation c) Process innovation d) Incremental innovation 18. What are the types of innovation in terms of market impact? a) Disruptive innovation b) Position innovation c) Paradigm innovation d) Sustaining innovation 19 Which ONE of the following is NOT an entrepreneurial skill? a) Planning strategically b) Identifying opportunities c) Creating solutions d) Imitating 20. Which of the following is not a part of Porter s Generic Competitive Strategy framework? a) Cost Leadership b) Focused Cost Leadership c) Product championship d) Differentiation TURN OVER

6 Page 6 SECTION B: Answer TWO questions from this section. Answers MUST be completed in the answer book provided. (This section constitutes 80% of the marks. Each question is worth 40%) 21. Why is there such a high failure rate in Information Systems development? Give examples to illustrate your answer. 22. Outline and discuss differences between online and social media marketing in terms of platforms and functions. Provide examples. 23. Discuss how management by objectives (MBO) can be used to improve performance in organisations and critically debate its effectiveness. 24. Define franchising and discuss its advantages and disadvantages. END OF PAPER

7 Page 7 Student Registration Number: Section A - Answer Grid Section A answers MUST be completed on the answer grid. Please select one answer unless otherwise specified. Question A B C D

8 Page 1 Introduction to Business NBS-4007Y Generic Exam Feedback Students performed well in the exam with only three failed scripts. The vast majority prepared well, with answers structured in a manner suggested in the exam preparation sessions. Multiple choice test performance (Section A), vastly improved from last year the Kahoot in-class sessions definitely helped as we observed an average increase of 5-8 points in this part of the exam. First class scripts wrote in a structured, coherent manner applying theory and linking theory to examples. 2:1 scripts addressed the main points as requested but lacked depth and sophistication expected from a 1 st class exam script. Weaker scripts were rather broad and descriptive. Failed scripts did not address the topic at all. Section B 1. Why is there such a high failure rate in Information Systems development? Give examples to illustrate your answer. Generally students addressed that question in considerable detail. Most scripts provided a definition of IS. However, more detail in terms of percentages of success/challenges/failures would be beneficial, as per lecture notes to provide more depth and clarity. Challenging use of examples observed. 2. Outline and discuss differences between online and social media marketing in terms of platforms and functions. Provide examples. Mixed student performance in this question. Rather confusing/interchangeable use of online and social media marketing. Make sure to provide definitions for each at the beginning. Platforms and functions have been adequately documented. Good use of examples in most exam scripts. 3. Discuss how management by objectives (MBO) can be used to improve performance in organisations and critically debate its effectiveness. A popular choice with some good answers. Most scripts provided a definition of MBO and discussed its role in aligning activities towards organisational goals and the role of employees. There were scripts that discussed the 4 step process of goal setting, planning actions, implementing and reviewing plans BUT there were many scripts that discussed the nature of SMART objectives this was not part of the answer!

9 Page 2 4. Define franchising and discuss its advantages and disadvantages. Most answers provided a confusing definition. Franchising is a business arrangement in which one company (the franchisee) obtains the rights to sell the products and use various elements of a business system of another company (the franchisor). Good scripts discussed advantages and disadvantages from the franchisee and franchisor perspectives as discussed in class. Practically all exam scripts provided McDonald s as an example excellent scripts went beyond this to discuss other successful franchises as well. Marking Guide For All Questions: First (70%+): The answer includes a conclusive list of identified factors and discussion of them, as well as references to relevant theories, studies, and / or current debates. Finally, the use of applications business examples, relevant policies and / or references from newspapers, current affairs programmes etc. are also expected for a FIRST grade. 2.1 (60% - 69%): The answer includes a comprehensive list of identified factors and discussion of them, as well as some references to relevant theories, studies, and / or current debates. In addition, providing one or two business examples, relevant policies and / or references from newspapers, current affairs programmes etc. 2.2 (50% - 59%): The answer includes some identified factors and discussion of them, as well as few references to relevant theories, studies, and / or current debates. In addition, providing one business examples, relevant policies and / or references from newspapers, current affairs programmes etc. Third (40% - 49%): The identified factors and discussion is limited, very few references to relevant theories, studies, and / or current debates are provided and very few business examples, relevant policies and / or references from newspapers, current affairs programmes etc are given. Fail (0% - 39%): The identified factors and discussion are substantively or wholly missing, no references to relevant theories, studies, and / or current debates are provided and no business examples, relevant policies and / or references from newspapers, current affairs programmes etc are given. A failure to understand the question is progressively relevant as the mark declines.